Possible Dress & Question

[E B]

While surfing the web, I found a dress I kinda really like (sorry...can''t help quoting Sex & The City) at this bargain website that sells high-end samples. The price isn''t low, but very good for what it is. The thing is, my fiance and I technically haven''t set a date (but we''re seriously thinking Feb/March/April of ''07). On top of that, my Dad and I haven''t even started to discuss what to do about budget/starting to pay for things. How did you go about getting the process started?

And more importantly, what are your thoughts on this dress? Honest opinions only, please!

Full:

Front detail:

Back detail:

 

[E B]

I called the place it's housed at and was told another girl has it right now, along with three others she's considering

. She does have three other choices, though, so not all hope is lost.

It's apparently in new condition. Since it's a sample, it's been tried on before but never worn for a "big day".

 

[ivanadiamond]

Ebree the dress is gorgeous~ Is the place located close to you so that you can try it on yourself? Have you tried on other dresses yet? The reason I ask is because, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and then when I started trying on dresses, I actually ended up chosing a style I didn''t think I would want. And what Ithought I loved (a-line and strapless) looked terrible on me...With that said, I don''t think it is too early at all and this dress isv. elegant!

 

[E B]

Ivana,

I''ve tried on this same style (strapless and A-line) and it suits me pretty well. I haven''t tried on this exact dress (it''s in Texas, but they''ll ship so I can try it on) but I''ve tried on similar by this exact designer. In fact, I found it by searching for the designer.

 

[ivanadiamond]

Well in that case, I will keep my fingers crossed and I hope it works out!!!!!!

 

[sunkist]

Hi EBree, I don''t know how you answer your questions about getting it started. I guess I''d just sit down with your dad and fiance and say, so! what''s it going to be! (of course with a little more finesse

) But just start talking about it...

What I REALLY want to say is that that dress is GORGEOUS!!!! WOW! I love it

I definitely think you should try it on before you get it set in your mind that that is what you want. You definitely want something that makes YOU look gorgeous

 

[E B]

I''m so glad you guys like it. I really really like it too! Then again, you never know what it actually looks like without trying it on...but this designer has suited my body really well so far.

Sunkist, I''m going to talk to my Dad tonight. We''ve talked about wedding possibilities before, I''m just not sure how to get the ball rolling on the actual purchases. Maybe I''ll say I found a gown I really like and if possible, we could have it sent in.

If anyone else has other opinions about the dress/situation, I''d love to hear them! Be honest...if you think the dress is hideous, let me know! I can take it.

 

[MINE!!]

Oh Ebree.. it is beautiful... I love the waist. .... ... I love the bodice and the waist.. I sooo wish there was a little sparkle on the skirt of the gown. Yet regardless it is very very lovely.

Have you tried on many dresses?

 

[E B]

Date: 2/16/2006 8:23:42 PM
Author: MINE!!
Oh Ebree.. it is beautiful... I love the waist. .... ... I love the bodice and the waist.. I sooo wish there was a little sparkle on the skirt of the gown. Yet regardless it is very very lovely.

Have you tried on many dresses?

Not too many. I''m not too picky though, and I wouldn''t rule much out just yet. I do love the look of strapless, though, and I like that this dress has a detailed bust. It''d give mine an extra oomph!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

It''s gorgeous . . . I don''t really know how to bring up the budget issue, but that dress is lovely!

I also second the "trying on dresses" sentiment. I thought for sure I would hate strapless and satin for my wedding, but it turned out that''s what ended up looking best on me. Who knew!

 

[Rebemdee]

I think it''s gorgeous, but I don''t like the bows. I think they take away from the beauty of the beading and the pattern on the bodice. Also, they look like they could get twisted and not lay flat or in the right direction. Would you consider removing the bows?

 

[cpster]

The detailing is exquisite! I hope you get a chance to try it on!!! How much are they asking for the gown?

 

[pebbles]

That dress looks almost like the one my sister wore. I like it but I personally would like the beading to go a bit further down instead of having it all concentrated on the top.

 

[E B]

Date: 2/17/2006 1:27:25 AM
Author: pebbles
That dress looks almost like the one my sister wore. I like it but I personally would like the beading to go a bit further down instead of having it all concentrated on the top.

I lean towards more simple dresses (aka not too much beading) but I liked the way this dress's beading was all at the top (instead of scattered), giving definition to the bust area. I'm not very "big" and so any definition up there is good definition!

Rebedee,

I see what you're saying about the bows. If I were to buy the dress, I might take them off the front, but I kinda like them in the back. I like that they give a little detail

Cpster,

It's a tiny bit over 2k!

It's supposedly a $6k dress new, though, and this is a sample. If it were $1k less, I'd buy it without blinking.

 

[cpster]

Ebree, I hope you get to try it on. If you do get a chance, make sure you go out and try a bunch of other ones on too so you know its "the one". I was a two dress bride myself but don''t regret it at all. I loved my dress and I still have it. 2K is not too bad for a silk gown (it is silk, right?) with great beading. I really love the details of this one. Who is the designer? Of course you need to consider budget. Since you can fit a sample sizes, definately look on Ebay too. I''ve seen lots of Vera Wang''s on there too!

It''s funny, I recently was looking at a friend''s bridal magazine since I love gowns. I just kept on thinking how much I still love my dress. I didn''t find one single dress in that magazine that I loved move.

BTW, have you heard of Bride Power? They sell lots of designer samples.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

$2K?! Oh my gosh!

Maybe it''s the frugal girl in me that''s screaming, but I just couldn''t spend that much on a wedding dress unless it was completely dripping with beads and crystals. Both dresses I originally would kill for had pearls all over one and chantilly lace all over the other and neither was over $1K. But hey, if you LOVE it, GO FOR IT!

 

[selflove]

I LOOOOOOVE this dress!! I''m not usually a fan of beading but I like it on this one, just a little oomph to the top, to draw your eye up, I love it! And I think the bows on the back are very cute. You can hardly notice them on the front. Also love the criss cross stitching on the front.

I dunno...how direct can you be with your dad? Is it something you have to tippy-toe around or can you just put it out there and have an honest discussion about $$? The way my fiance and I planned it, knowing we were going to have a very small wedding, I said "Well, $10K ought to be enough for one day, right?" We''re doing okay but will go over by about 30%. I just figured what was reasonable for a small wedding and this figure just seemed reasonable and I knew that if the parents didn''t chip in this wouldn''t put us in debt. I guess you just have to figure out what you and your FI and families are comfortable with and set a budget based on that.

 

[E B]

Date: 2/17/2006 1:51:16 AM
Author: cpster
Ebree, I hope you get to try it on. If you do get a chance, make sure you go out and try a bunch of other ones on too so you know its ''the one''. I was a two dress bride myself but don''t regret it at all. I loved my dress and I still have it. 2K is not too bad for a silk gown (it is silk, right?) with great beading. I really love the details of this one. Who is the designer?

It''s a Reem Acra, and the website says it''s "silk satin" (though if it''s one of Reem''s top gowns, it''d just be silk, right? Maybe they have the fabric wrong). I love the detailing too...it''s quite unlike everything else I''ve seen so far.

Aphi,

You''re absolutely right...$2k is a TON of money. The only way I could justify spending this much is if it had high re-sale value, and Reems sell like hotcakes on EBay. Though I''m not sure if this would sell for much as it''s a sample AND it''d be worn by me, but I could try. Maybe I could get at least 25% if not 50% back.

 

[E B]

Date: 2/17/2006 2:00:37 AM
Author: selflove

I dunno...how direct can you be with your dad? Is it something you have to tippy-toe around or can you just put it out there and have an honest discussion about $$? The way my fiance and I planned it, knowing we were going to have a very small wedding, I said 'Well, $10K ought to be enough for one day, right?' We're doing okay but will go over by about 30%. I just figured what was reasonable for a small wedding and this figure just seemed reasonable and I knew that if the parents didn't chip in this wouldn't put us in debt. I guess you just have to figure out what you and your FI and families are comfortable with and set a budget based on that.

Self,

My Dad recently told me (when we got engaged) that he'd pay for all of it. He didn't say how much he'd spend, but whatever he wants to spend is fine with me. I read that the average U.S. wedding is something like $25,000, and to be safe, I've been budgeting a little less than half of that ($12k). We're cutting out a lot of the normal wedding costs (attendants, favors, limos, etc.) so I'm sure we could stay within a pretty reasonable budget. No matter what he offers, I want to keep it on the low end.

ETA: Thank you all for your opinions so far! Keep 'em coming!

 

[cpster]

Ebree--I think you are right. You should be able to easily recoup 25% at minimum, but I would think at least 50% for a Reem Acra. Silk satin is silk I believe. The satin part is just how they weave the silk...at least I think so. My dress was silk satin too and I loved it. It feels so light, luxurious, and the fabric just really flows well.

I was in a slightly different situation though. I got married at 28, so my husband and I had been working for a few years already. We paid for our own wedding so really got to do what we wanted. I hope the talk with your dad goes well. I''m sure it will. Once you know what your budget is you can start planning and figuring out what you really want to splurge on.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

P.S. I LOVE the little bows.. So cute!

 

[E B]

Date: 2/17/2006 2:15:56 AM
Author: cpster
Ebree--I think you are right. You should be able to easily recoup 25% at minimum, but I would think at least 50% for a Reem Acra. Silk satin is silk I believe. The satin part is just how they weave the silk...at least I think so. My dress was silk satin too and I loved it. It feels so light, luxurious, and the fabric just really flows well.

That makes sense. Of the few I've tried on, two of the gowns were silk (satin?) and they felt amazing!

 

[Caribou]

The dress is beautiful. Very elegent.

 

[pebbles]

If you''re small busted I can see this dress would be very flattering. The more I look at it, the more I like it.

Here''s a good website that gives information on different types of fabric:

http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-material.htm

Here''s what it says about silks:


Silk threads are woven to create various fabrics, including satin, a densely-woven silk notable for its super-lustrous gloss; duchesse satin, a blend of silk and rayon that is lighter and more affordable than pure silk satin; charmeuse, a lightweight silk satin with a more subdued luster; and shantung, a low-sheen textured silk characterized by a rough, nubby quality. Then there are the gauzier, textured silks like chiffon, tulle, and organza -- all used in multiple layers for gown skirts since they are transparent, but lightweight

The Fabric Hot List

Batiste: A lightweight, soft, transparent fabric.

Brocade: A Jacquard-woven fabric with raised designs; traditionally popular for fall and winter, now also worn in warmer weather.

Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric, that is satin-like to the touch.

Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent -- made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish; often layered because of its transparency, making it popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, and wraps.

Crepe: A light, soft, and thin fabric with a crinkled surface.

Damask: Similar to brocade with raised designs, but woven in a much lighter weight.

Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish.

Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen.

Faille: A structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon; usually quite substantial.

Gabardine: A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face.

Georgette: A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface.

Illusion: A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.

Jersey: A very elastic knit fabric; the face has lengthwise ribs and the underside has crosswise ribs.

Moire: A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design.

Organdy: A stiff transparent fabric.

Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing; popular for skirts, sleeves, backs, and overlays.

Peau de Soie: A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribs, and a grainy appearance.

Pique: A lengthwise rib weave in medium to heavy weights; wrinkles badly unless given a wrinkle-free finish.

Satin: A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side; very common in bridal gowns.

Silk Gazar: A four-ply silk organza.

Silk Mikado: A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk.

Silk-faced Satin: A smooth silk satin, with a glossy front and matte back.

Shantung: Similar to a raw silk, shantung is characterized by its slubbed texture.

Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib; not frequently used.

Tulle: Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils (think ballerina tutus).

Velvet: A soft, thick fabric with a felted face and plain underside

 

[SarFarSuperstar]

I LOVE that dress- it''s gorgeous and the fabric looks so rich and fantastic! I also totally agree with Lauren on the trying on dresses thing- I was SO sure that I did NOT want a strapless dress...and I bought a strapless dress. But I just fell in love with it and it looked so good! So, you''ll never know what will work and what won''t. All the dresses that were styles I thought I wanted looked terrible.

 

[jcrow]

love it!

i think it's a great price for that designer and that dress. is there any way to make sure of the condition before the purchase?

if it comes in and you don't like it, you could always resell it too.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Very beautiful. I think you just have to sit down and bite the bullet (I talked to my parents without my FI there) and say "we need to talk about a budget." Also on the knot.com they have a budget calculator tool which is really cool. You put in the number of guests and your budget and it breaks everything down for you. I printed out a sample to show my parents I think that really helped. My dad never gave me a total. He said he would approve each thing instead of one number. Though he has really stayed out of it. I guess I am not asking for anything too crazy so it hasn''t been a problem so far! Maybe they are waiting until you set your date to have the formal conversation with you.

 

[FireGoddess]

It's a beautiful dress. If you buy it, you are getting it at a huge discount. $2K is no chump change but if you want a designer dress, it comes with the territory. My SIL bought a Romona Keveza for over $3K. Me, I paid $350 for my dress at David's. It's just about what you want and can justify paying for!!!!

It's a beautiful gown and the beading on the top of the bodice is gorgeous! I hope the girl who has it decides it's not the one for her!!

 

[DonaBella]

Date: 2/16/2006 8:40:47 PM
Author: EBree

Date: 2/16/2006 8:23:42 PM
Author: MINE!!
Oh Ebree.. it is beautiful... I love the waist. .... ... I love the bodice and the waist.. I sooo wish there was a little sparkle on the skirt of the gown. Yet regardless it is very very lovely.

Have you tried on many dresses?

Not too many. I''m not too picky though, and I wouldn''t rule much out just yet. I do love the look of strapless, though, and I like that this dress has a detailed bust. It''d give mine an extra oomph!

This dress is beautiful...I love the simplicity and the elegance...it would frame you and your figure in a very memorable way...

 

[CareBear]

Wow! this dress is gorgeous! I love Reem dresses! You must have a knockout figure to fit this dress, the waist is tiny! I really beading on top.